Take steps to safeguard dairy workers as restrictions ease

The Government has issued new guidelines for producers, as COVID-19 restrictions are eased, to ensure that workplaces are as safe as possible.

Issued in mid-May, the guidelines detail specific steps that farm workers, including seasonal labour, should adhere to, to help protect them from the risk of COVID-19.

Nine steps

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has summarised the 31-page document, which is specific for people working in construction and other outdoor work into nine key steps.

These are:

1. Assessing the risk

2. Who can work?

3. Implementing social distancing

4. Managing common areas

5. Managing external visitors

6. Provide signage

7. Implement frequent cleaning

8. Use of personal protective equipment and masks coverings

9. Managing goods arriving and leaving the farm

“While cases of Coronavirus continue to drop, producers have a legal responsibility to protect workers and others from risk to their health and safety.

“This means that they need to think about the risks they face and do everything reasonably practicable to minimise them, recognising that you cannot completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19.

Social distancing

“It is important that all employers and employees follow the guidelines to safeguard themselves and their workers. This includes protecting contractors such as those coming onto the farm during the silage season and trying to implement social distancing where possible.”